Menokreatikkul; Saturday Stitches

As mentioned during the week, there has been quite a bit of yarn work going on in The Hutch. You saw a little of that in last week's post.

During the week since Mac1 departed, there has been a bit more work done on two of the slightly larger projects, but I have found myself wanting to do more of the small, one-sitting works. I watched a video on 'brioche' stitching and got inspired. In four hours, I had another beanie made... then in a couple of hours, created some matching mitts:

Using the variegated Alpaca yarn from the stash worked brilliantly with this style of stitching. It feels really squishy and is, of course, very warm. 

Then there was the remaining ball and a half of the 'difficult' light-blue mercerised cotton yarn I had used for the small scarf Mac1 got. I just wanted to get it used up and then forget about it. A bit like having to take medicine. I opted to try it on the slightly larger-sized Tunisian hook in the mesh stitch. That proved considerably less miserable an experience than the first item, and there was just enough to form a cowl/mini infinity scarf:

Lastly, for today's share, I have the bug for these small neck decorations/covers. I am someone who likes (needs) to have my neck protected. I have always enjoyed high collars and turtle necks. A lot of my clothes now do not have those, hence the various wrap-around styles you have observed me creating. 

Anyway, as there is quite a lot of single-skein cotton to be used up, these seem like an ideal use for it. Not that one couldn't use up a fair bit of the wool and acrylic oddments too, but I rather like the feel of the cotton... and it will be useful for the anticipated warmer weather. 

The other night, needing to avoid working on one particular project, I picked up a couple of the skeins and worked them together with a 12mm (i.e. huge) hook in Tunisian Top Loop stitch. Just a narrow 'ribbon' which can be worn wrapped from front to back and round to the front again (very warm), or simply round from the back and tied in a bow (as bows are having a bit of a 'thing' at the moment), which is less warm, but fine for a flourish. 

Menoturals; Flower Respite

It's that day we share with the LLB gang in Nature Friday... I still have some cattle to share with you, but due to this week disappearing out from under me, I have decided to go 'nature lite' today and simply bring you a flower or two... thinking of those bright days that will be with us soon enough. This is also a chance to remind you that next week is Final Friday already!

Menoops... Stop Press

Well, Thursday crept up on me all of a sudden... so here I am posting on the hop!

Mac1's visit passed with next to no photos: the weather did what our weather does, so no outings of any note (one brief trot down to the shore and back). Time spent nattering as only sisters can, sharing views on various artistic pursuits, listening to podcasts, watching Great Pottery Throwdown and Winter Olympics (mainly the curling). Eating. Plenty of eating. A puzzle or two. It was a real treat to have her here for a full six days. 

Then she was gone. I still had the crochet, the Os, the rugby 6 Nations, podcasts, puzzles, a couple of binge-watches...

There was a brief burst of sun the other day. Enough of a burst to cause a slight case of sun-crazies. I took a hike around town. It was the first proper walk for 2026; that's how bad the weather has been. There were lots of others on the promenade enjoying the day. Smiles came easily. Dogs went goofy. The birds warbled cheerfully, and the Rock Doves took to formation flying. For all the world, it would have been easy to think spring was making its way in... if it weren't for the frost that fell as the evening drew in and the sleety storm that passed through in the night. The past two days back to situation normal. Sigh... a few more weeks.

Crikey, the weeks are racing by already... plans are already forming for March. There is to be a visitor from overseas. Then it will be Easter... 

...where's the brake pedal???